Box Score ABILENE, TEXAS – Clutch hitting eluded visiting University of the Incarnate Word on Saturday as they left 14 runners on base in a 4-2 loss at Abilene Christian in Southland Conference baseball action at Crutcher Scott Field.

The loss for the Cardinals (7-16, 1-1) evened up the series with the Wildcats (11-13, 1-1).  UIW left multiple men on base in five of the nine innings.  In the final three innings of the game they left eight runners on base without scoring.

The Cardinals jumped out to the early 2-0 lead in the third inning.  Slade Brown (Keller/Keller HS) and Jonathan Armijo (San Antonio/Marion Military) each had RBI singles in the frame.
The Wildcats cut the lead in half in the bottom half of the third inning when Tyler Eager scored on a wild pitch.  ACU tied the game in the bottom of the fifth inning.  The Wildcats took the lead in the seventh inning on a two-out, two-run single by Brandon Grudzielanek.

The Cardinals had scoring opportunities in the eighth and ninth innings, but were unable to get the big hit.  Kevin Sheets notched the win for ACU after tossing 2.2 shutout innings of relief to close out the game.

The Cardinals had 11 hits and were hit by four pitches.  Colton Besett (Cedar Park/Vista Ridge HS) led the team with three hits while Brown, Armijo and Dustin Cole (Tomball/Tomball HS) each had two hits in the game.  Dylan Boss (Boerne/Boerne HS) started the game on the mound and took a no-decision.  He allowed four hits and two runs in 6.0 innings.  Brandon Cogbill (Lake Dallas/Lake Dallas HS) was handed the loss after giving up two runs in relief.

The Wildcats had eight hits led by Eager's 3-for-3 performance at the plate.  Colton Hall added a pair of hits and scored two runs.

The teams will play the final game of the series on Sunday at 1 p.m.
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